168 chemicals a day? The truth about toxic skincare

You put 168 chemicals on your skin every day.

According to research by the Environmental Working Group, the average woman applies approximately 12 personal care products per day, which collectively contain about 168 unique chemical ingredients. That’s 168 different substances your skin is exposed to every. single. day!¹

5 scary truths about toxic skincare

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) disrupt everything – Chemicals like parabens and phthalates are tied to infertility, cancer, obesity, learning disorders, and even health effects across generations.²
“Fragrance” hides a toxic secret – A single word can mask thousands of unlisted ingredients, many linked to hormone disruption and disease.
Daily chemical overload – On average, men use six beauty products containing 85 chemicals.³ Many of these chemicals can be absorbed through your skin, with some entering your bloodstream – meaning they don’t just stay on the surface.
Parabens hijack hormones – Some studies suggest that paraben exposure may be linked to changes in thyroid and reproductive hormone levels during pregnancy.⁴
Phthalates spell trouble – Hidden in many scented items, they’re linked to heart disease⁵, early puberty⁶, fertility issues⁷, and metabolic disruption⁸.

At Chuckling Goat, our skincare is free from all of the above and more, no nasties! Shop our range HERE

Image of Chuckling Goat natural soap being handmade on the farm.

As Head of Soapery, I take a lot of pride in our cosmetics range. Here at Chuckling Goat, we believe your skincare should support your health, not sabotage it. That’s why our entire range is 100% free from parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and other hormone-disrupting chemicals. Instead, we use pure, microbiome-friendly ingredients that you can actually pronounce! They are kind to your skin and safe for your body, so you can feel confident about what you’re putting on your skin every day.

So, what are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)?

They consist of multiple nasty chemicals and toxins, such as parabens and phthalates, which are known hormone disruptors. We often link ‘hormones’ to women, forgetting that they directly affect men too, because your endocrine system is linked to every part of your body. There is evidence that endocrine disruptors (EDCs) affect both male and female hormones, such as fertility, breast development, cancer, prostate cancer, neuroendocrinology, thyroid, metabolism, obesity, and cardiovascular endocrinology.⁹

What is the endocrine system?

Your endocrine system is made up of glands and tissues that produce hormones, chemical messengers that travel through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and more. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Endocrine disruptors interfere with this delicate communication, blocking, mimicking, or confusing your hormones, leaving your body out of balance and struggling to function properly!

What should I avoid in my skincare?

There are three main red flags to watch out for: parabens, phthalates, and anything labelled ‘fragrance/parfum’. These ingredients are everywhere, from your face wash and soap to your deodorant and shampoo. The scary truth? Your skin absorbs them every single day, sending toxic chemicals straight into your body where they disrupt your hormones and damage your health over time.

1. Phthalates

Would you believe these are found in vinyl flooring? They also hide in everyday cosmetics, especially in artificial fragrances. Used to make plastics more flexible, these chemicals can disrupt testosterone production and have been linked to reproductive and developmental issues.

Phthalates can negatively affect female reproductive health, including alterations in ovarian and uterine function, and are potentially linked to conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and other fertility-related issues.¹⁰

2. Parabens

These are preservatives commonly added to shampoos, lotions, deodorants, and other personal care items to extend shelf life. These chemicals can mimic oestrogen in the body, leading to hormonal disruption and potentially impacting fertility and reproductive health. The parabens used most commonly in cosmetics are Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, and Ethylparaben, so look out for these and avoid!

3. Fragrance/parfum

“Fragrance” or “parfum” often contains phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. Thanks to a legal loophole, cosmetics companies are not required to disclose the actual ingredients hidden within these terms, giving them free rein to pack products with toxic chemicals, all without telling you! Essential oils are safe, ‘fragrance/parfum’ alone is not.

A peer-reviewed review in Environmental Health Perspectives reported that synthetic fragrances can interfere with the endocrine-immune-neural axis. This means they may disrupt hormone signalling, immune function, and neurological systems. The review outlines a range of health issues, including reproductive problems, associations with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), gynecomastia, thyroid and liver toxicity, and teratogenic effects (developmental harm) in both men and women.¹¹

How can I avoid these red flag ingredients?

To avoid parabens, quite literally avoid any ingredient that contains the word ‘paraben’, such as Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, and Propylparaben.
To avoid phthalates, you can also avoid anything that has Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) and Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP).
Watch out for anything labelled ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ too. If a product lists these without specifically mentioning essential oils, it usually means you’re dealing with hidden, synthetic chemicals that often include toxic phthalates.

Image of Chuckling Goat Break Out Soap lathered in hands.

Everyday skincare shouldn’t come at the cost of your health. That’s why Chuckling Goat soaps and lotions are 100% free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Just safe, nourishing ingredients your skin and body will thank you for. You can find our award-winning skincare products here.

To learn more, check out Probiotic kefir lotions – which one is right for you? and 4 Things Probiotic Lotion can do for your skin!.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.

168 chemicals a day? The truth about toxic skincare

5 scary truths about toxic skincare

So, what are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)?

What is the endocrine system?

What should I avoid in my skincare?

1. Phthalates

2. Parabens

3. Fragrance/parfum

How can I avoid these red flag ingredients?

References

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

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